Warriors guard Klay Thompson shoots the ball over the Clippers’ Lou Williams during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

Lou Williams (23) of the Clippers moves against of the Golden State Warriors during Game 4 of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Clippers’ Lou Williams drives to the basket against the Warriors’ Kevin Durant during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

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Kevin Durant (35), right, and Klay Thompson (11) of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after scoring against the LA Clippers during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Lou Williams (23) of the LA Clippers, left, gets his shot deflected by the the Golden State Warriors during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Andre Iguodala (9) of the Golden State Warriors reacts after scoring agains the LA Clippers during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

LOS ANGELES — Before Game 4, Clippers coach Doc Rivers didn’t even try to downplay its significance: “It’s drastic.” The situation now? Dire, following Sunday’s 113-105 loss to the top-seeded Golden State Warriors, who are chasing a third consecutive NBA crown. With the season teetering Sunday in Game 4, it was the junior Clippers who […]

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr signals his players in a game against the LA Clippers during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Patrick Beverley of the LA Clippers (21) goes for a layup over the defense of the Golden State Warriors during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kevin Durant (35) of the of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Landry Shamet (20) of the LA Clippers during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kevin Durant (35) of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after scoring agains the LA Clippers during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Stephen Curry (30), center, of the Golden State Warriors moves to the basked against Jerome Robinson (10) and Montrezl Harrell (5) of the LA Clippers during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Danilo Gallinari (8) of the LA Clippers shoots over the defense of Andre Iguodala (9) of the Golden State Warriors during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

LA Clippers head coach Doc Rivers disagrees with the referees call in a game against the Golden State Warriors during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Danilo Gallinari (8) of the LA Clippers shoots over Stephen Curry (30) in the first perion of the Golden State Warriors during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Lou Williams (23) of the LA Clippers battles for the ball with Alfonzo McKinnie (28) of the Golden State Warriors during the 4th game of of the Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the LA Clippers gets tangled with Kevon Looney #5 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Warriors guard Klay Thompson shoots the ball over the Clippers’ Lou Williams during the second half of Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday afternoon at Staples Center. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Andrew Bogut #12 of the Golden State Warriors fights for the ball against Montrezl Harrell #5 and Lou Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter of Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors argues for a foul in front of Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Jerome Robinson #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors watches play from the sidelines during the first half against the LA Clippers in Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers catches a pass between Kevon Looney #5 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to his three pointer during the first half against the LA Clippers in Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Alfonzo McKinnie #28 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, center, runs into Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, left, as he shoots while guard Landry Shamet watches during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, is hit by Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut as he shoots during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Lou Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Clippers fights for a rebound against Alfonzo McKinnie #28 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter of Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball against Landry Shamet #20 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, left, and forward Kevin Durant, center, congratulate each other as Clippers guard Patrick Beverley walks by during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against Jerome Robinson #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket on Jerome Robinson #10 of the LA Clippers during a 113-105 Warrior win in Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 21: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots a three pointer in front of Montrezl Harrell #5 and Wilson Chandler #22 of the LA Clippers during a 113-105 Warrior win in Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala, right, reacts after dunking during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley defends during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala, right, reacts after dunking during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, second from left, defends during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, right, celebrates as Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams watches during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Landry Shamet defends during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, right, knocks the ball from the hands of Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry stands on the court during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley celebrates after a scoring play during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, left, talks to a referee during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala, right, dunks as Los Angeles Clippers guard Jerome Robinson, left, defends during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari defends during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, top, dunks as Los Angeles Clippers guard Landry Shamet defends during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Balmer celebrates during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, left, and forward Kevin Durant, center, congratulate each other as Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley walks by during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Sunday, April 21, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Warriors won 113-105. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The situation now? Dire, following Sunday’s 113-105 loss to the top-seeded Golden State Warriors, who are chasing a third consecutive NBA crown.

With the season teetering Sunday in Game 4, it was the junior Clippers who fought to keep their team afloat early before they eventually succumbed to the champs, who got 33 points from Kevin Durant, 32 from Klay Thompson and overcame a spirited effort from the Clippers, who had a five-point lead with 3:57 left in the third quarter.

The Warriors take a 3-1 lead back home to Oracle Arena for Game 5 on Wednesday, when they can end the Clippers’ surprisingly successful season with one more victory.

Coming off a 27-point loss in Game 3, the Clippers were led largely Sunday by rookie point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whom Clippers coach Doc Rivers had challenged to more convincingly compete on every play.

The 20-year-old, locked in from tip-off, scored a team-high 25 points, shooting 9 for 15 en route to a new Clippers record for most points in a playoff game by a rookie.

Gilgeous-Alexander accounted for 14 of the Clippers’ first 17 points, coming in a sequence that included stylish layups, a pull-up jumper, and confidently taken 3-pointers, including one that tied it at 17-17.

“I seen Shai come out and want to impose his will in the game early,” said Durant, who finished Sunday with 3,771 postseason points, passing Hakeem Olajuwon (3,755) for 13th place on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list. “He got them going to start the game … he played with no fear tonight and that’s what kept them in the game most of the game.”

Gilgeous-Alexander said he understood that he had to attack more, and coming into Sunday’s game, he’d figured out how.

“I watched film and saw spots where I could take advantage offensively, and I tried to do so today,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, whose 14 first-quarter points tied Brandon Jennings’ 2010 effort for the most by a rookie in the opening frame of a playoff game since 2003.

Then it was rookie Jerome Robinson’s turn. After appearing in only 33 games this season, Robinson provided the surprise second-quarter spark with a stretch in which he fed Harrell for a dunk, buried a 3-pointer, made two free throws and tied the score at 35 with a driving dunk.

Rookie Landry Shamet also made some three timely 3-pointers, including the shot that gave the Clippers the 75-73 lead with 5:50 to go in the third quarter.

But the Clippers’ Danilo Gallinari continued to struggle. After averaging nearly 20 points per game in the regular season, the veteran forward had 16 points and made only 5 of his 20 field-goal attempts and now is 7 for 33 over his past two outings. He was held to nine points in Game 3.

“Gallo’s a pro, he’s gonna play hard next game,” said Wilson Chandler, who also played alongside Gallinari in New York and Denver. “If anything, (we’ll) just show him that we care, no criticism at all. Just show him that we don’t mind him shooting the ball and if he misses 20, then (keep taking) take them, for sure.

“I live with the shots he takes, die with the shots he takes, you’ll never hear me complaining about it.”

Patrick Beverley finished with 12 points (and 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots). Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell had 12 and 10 points, respectively, though they combined for just eight in the second half.

“We haven’t been able to get everyone on the same page and to have good games on the same night,” Williams said. “My success has been predicated on everyone playing well and we just haven’t been able to get that going.”

With all their firepower, that hasn’t been an issue for the Warriors, who were winners despite getting only 12 points from Steph Curry, who went 3 for 14 and was plagued by foul trouble.

After averaging just 13.7 points through the first three games of the series, it was Thompson’s turn Sunday, when he tallied 27 points the first half and eclipsed 2,000 career postseason points to join Curry as the only players in Warriors history to reach that playoff milestone.

The Warriors were 17 of 19 from the free-throw line. They controlled the boards too, 49-33, led by Curry and Andrew Bogut with 10 rebounds apiece.

“The rebounding really hurt us again,” Rivers said. “Right now they are crushing us on the glass.”

Mirjam Swanson covers the Clippers and the NBA for the Southern California News Group. Previously, she wrote about LeBron James and the rest of the Dream Team at the 2004 Olympics (where, yes, they took bronze) and Tiger Woods’ last (for now) major championship. Most recently, she’s covered city government, education and the occasional bear in a backyard.